Endoscopy-assisted removal through combined lower and middle meatotomies of an ectopic upper third molar in the sinus associated with a dentigerous cyst

The aim of this case report is to present an original conservative technique for the transnasal endoscopy-assisted extraction of an ectopic upper third molar associated with a dentigerous cyst occupying the whole maxillary sinus by means of combined lower and middle meatotomies. The proposed technique is a viable, minimally-invasive alternative to the Caldwell–Luc operation (with or without the repositioning of a bone lid), and also to endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy in cases where this would be unable to ensure adequate access because of the position and size of the ectopic tooth and associated cyst

An Observational Cohort Study on Delayed-Onset Infections after Mandibular Third-Molar Extractions.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and clinical features of delayed-onset infections after mandibular third-molar extractions. METHOD AND MATERIALS: An observational cohort study was conducted on 179 patients undergoing mandibular third-molar extraction between January 2013 and December 2015, for a total of 217 extractions. Data were recorded at the time of extraction (T0), on suture removal seven days later (T1), and 30 days after the extraction, when patients were contacted and asked about their healing process (T2). The statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests. A p value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Eight delayed-onset infections were recorded, amounting to 3.7% of all extractions. The median time elapsing from the extraction to the delayed-onset infection was 35 days (IQR 28-40; min 24-max 49). Younger age and longer surgical procedures seemed to be more often associated with this complication. CONCLUSION: Delayed-onset infections after third-molar extractions are relatively rare postoperative complications characterized by a swelling, usually with a purulent discharge. Patients should be informed of this possibility, which might develop even several weeks after the extraction

The psychophysics of bouncing: Perceptual constraints, physical constraints, animacy, and phenomenal causality

In the present study we broadly explored the perception of physical and animated motion in bouncing-like scenarios through four experiments. In the first experiment, participants were asked to categorize bouncing-like displays as physical bounce, animated motion, or other. Several parameters of the animations were manipulated, that is, the simulated coefficient of restitution, the value of simulated gravitational acceleration, the motion pattern (uniform acceleration/deceleration or constant speed) and the number of bouncing cycles. In the second experiment, a variable delay at the moment of the collision between the bouncing object and the bouncing surface was introduced. Main results show that, although observers appear to have realistic representations of physical constraints like energy conservation and gravitational acceleration/deceleration, the amount of visual information available in the scene has a strong modulation effect on the extent to which they rely on these representations. A coefficient of restitution >1 was a crucial cue to animacy in displays showing three bouncing cycles, but not in displays showing one bouncing cycle. Additionally, bouncing impressions appear to be driven by perceptual constraints that are unrelated to the physical realism of the scene, like preference for simulated gravitational attraction smaller than g and perceived temporal contiguity between the different phases of bouncing. In the third experiment, the visible opaque bouncing surface was removed from the scene, and the results showed that this did not have any substantial effect on the resulting impressions of physical bounce or animated motion, suggesting that the visual system can fill-in the scene with the missing element. The fourth experiment explored visual impressions of causality in bouncing scenarios. At odds with claims of current causal perception theories, results indicate that a passive object can be perceived as the direct cause of the motion behavior of an active object

Beyond National Institutions: Labor Taxes and Regional Unemployment in Italy

By focusing on the Italian experience, we ask whether the relationship between labor taxes and unemployment varies across regions. In spite of similar national labor market institutions, we show that this relationship is significantly stronger in the highly industrialized North than in the underdeveloped South, where unemployment is much higher. An important source of variation in the regional responsiveness of unemployment originates from the fact that regional gross wages in the North increase more than in the South in response to a hike in labor taxes. Regional wage setting affects regional employment (and unemployment) both directly and indirectly, via its impact on regional profits and the capital stock

Electro-thermal dynamic simulations and results of a deorbiting tethered system

Deorbiting techniques with small or better no propellant consumption are an important and critical field of space studies for the mitigation of orbital debris. Electrodynamic tethers (EDTs) are of particular interest because they make possible to deorbit space debris by exploiting the Lorentz force that is provided by the current flowing in the tether thanks to the interaction of the system with the Earth’s magnetosphere and the ionosphere. This paper focuses on the differences between two software packages built at the University of Padova (FLEX and FLEXSIM) and their results in simulating various deorbiting scenarios. Both FLEXSIM and FLEX simulate the electro-thermal behaviour and the dynamics of an EDT. However, while the first one has the simplifying assumption that the tether is always aligned with the local vertical, the second one considers also the overall system attitude with respect to the radial direction and the tether flexibility. The computational times of these S/W are very different and it is important to understand the scenarios that are more appropriate for their use. Results aim to show the impact of different solar activity (simulations are done at different epochs) and lengths of conductive and non conductive segments of tether, in the range of a few hundreds of meters, on the total re-entry time. As expected, deorbiting is faster for high solar activity and conductive tether length but the performance must be balanced against the dynamics stability. The issue of stability over the deorbiting time is evaluated numerically for specific cases by using FLEX

Deployment profile analysis for tethered deorbiting technologies

Over the past few decades, the man-made space debris has become an increasingly concerning problem for future space missions. Fortunately, some innovative "green" deorbiting technologies have been emerged. Among these strategies, electrodynamic tethers have demonstrated to be a promising option, thanks to their passive and fuel-free characteristics. By leveraging the Earth's ionosphere and the geomagnetic field, an electrodynamic tether generates a Lorentz drag force, that can significantly reduce the altitude of a satellite and ultimately cause it to re-enter the atmosphere. The goal of this research is to investigate a critical part of satellite tethered technology, namely the deployment phase. To accomplish this, we utilized a software tool developed by the University of Padova to simulate the dynamics of the deployment phase and optimize its trajectory, in order to meet the desired boundary conditions. This paper gives a description of the software and shows the results of a sensitivity analysis on the trajectory profile that examines the impact of variations in the release angle of the tether and the speed profile actuated by the motor that controls the deployment speed

School voucher Italian style

School vouchers introduced recently in some Italian regions have lowered the cost of private schools. On one side, we provide evidence that Italian private schools may be selected for different reasons than quality considerations. On the other side, by exploiting individual data on voucher applicants, we present evidence that the percentage of voucher applicants is higher the higher the average quality of private schools, which we explain with the fact that better quality schools provide better services to students, including information and consulting on vouchers. We show that enrolment in private schools responds sluggishly to changes in tuition induced by vouchers. Under stringent assumptions, we estimate the slopes of demand and supply of private education in the largest Italian region, Lombardy, during the first two years since implementation of a voucher scheme, and provide a quantitative assessment of the long \u2013 term impact of vouchers on tuition fees and enrolment in private schools

The impact of bioceramic scaffolds on bone regeneration in preclinical in vivo studies: A systematic review

Bioceramic scaffolds are appealing for alveolar bone regeneration, because they are emerging as promising alternatives to autogenous and heterogenous bone grafts. The aim of this systematic review is to answer to the focal question: in critical-sized bone defects in experimental animal models, does the use of a bioceramic scaffolds improve new bone formation, compared with leaving the empty defect without grafting materials or using autogenous bone or deproteinized bovine-derived bone substitutes? Electronic databases were searched using specific search terms. A hand search was also undertaken. Only randomized and controlled studies in the English language, published in peer-reviewed journals between 2013 and 2018, using critical-sized bone defect models in non-medically compromised animals, were considered. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the SYRCLE tool. A meta-analysis was planned to synthesize the evidence, if possible. Thirteen studies reporting on small animal models (six studies on rats and seven on rabbits) were included. The calvarial bone defect was the most common experimental site. The empty defect was used as the only control in all studies except one. In all studies the bioceramic materials demonstrated a trend for better outcomes compared to an empty control. Due to heterogeneity in protocols and outcomes among the included studies, no meta-analysis could be performed. Bioceramics can be considered promising grafting materials, though further evidence is needed